Michael J. Kazazis, CFO of Censeo Corp., helped his corporation thrive during a recession by practicing the leadership skills his organization helps develop.

Censeo Corp. provides an online platform to deliver assessments organizations can use to identify and develop leaders. One Censeo product, TalentSim, was named Product of the Year by HR Executive Magazine.

By maintaining integrity and transparency, Kazazis helped the firm he co-founded in 2000 not only survive, but expand internationally and see a 27.8 percent increase in revenue from 2009 to 2010. Kazazis is the top winner among Orlando Business Journal’s Small Private Company CFOs of the Year.

After being forced to cut costs, jobs and salaries, Kazazis sought to maintain morale among the 18 remaining employees. He organized monthly meetings in which he shared financial summaries and projections.

Employees were even happier in 2010, when their salaries were restored to prior levels.

While health care is a challenge for small businesses, this year Kazazis helped create a plan that was affordable for both employees and the corporation.

Key business lesson learned: Never lose sight of integrity. When we made a mistake on an engagement, rather than fight the client to preserve our revenue, we refunded the cost of the project. Seven years later, they have expanded the use of our platform internationally.

Most valuable career memory: Helping manage aspects of the disaster-recovery effort at Cantor Fitzgerald Securities during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. That event pushed us all to the limits and provided a priceless experience in the importance of business continuity.

Hobbies: I started a blog focused on career development, which forces me to stay up-to-date on various industries, technologies and my creative writing skills.

Community involvement: Music programs in several schools in Seminole County; the alumni board at Rollins College; Relay for Life; an extreme home-makeover; student mentoring.

Melissa Atkins, CFO, First Green Bank

Banker’s hours don’t apply to Melissa Atkins, CFO of First Green Bank. She’s been working overtime since she became CFO in 2008.

First Green Bank got a late FDIC approval just before Christmas of 2008. With 45 days to get up and running, Atkins acted as operations officer in designing the bank, and as human resource manager hiring and training staff. Atkins still manages the bank’s operational aspects. By 2009, after its first year of operation, the bank had revenue of $1 million. In 2010, that number rose to $3.8 million.

Personal

Hometown: Heflin, Ala.

Key business lesson learned: You never know it all. One week I may think I know it all, but the next week I could be thinking “I didn’t know anything.”

Favorite career memory: Getting this position after Florida Choice was bought out.

Hobbies: Wake boarding; water skiing.

Hardest thing about my job: Staying on top of regulatory changes.

Career goal for later in my life: To get my CPA. I want to hang that plaque up on my wall.